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Expressing Your Personal Experience
My journey to finding faith in Christ began during a difficult childhood that would be described as "dysfunctional" by others. However, back then, we were simply navigating the challenges of the tumultuous 1960s and '70s. Unbeknownst to us, Jesus eventually stepped in and had a profound impact on my life.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the inexplicable love that Jesus has for us.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life was completely disrupted. This very same affection has supported me for more than five decades, accompanying me through all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the positive experiences. My personal account attests that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced the love of God for the first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and my work is because of this. It is the motivation behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in creating songs that can convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to all individuals on Earth, which is why we have podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal experience with God? It could be that you experienced God's love when you were young attending church, or maybe you found Him as an adult while struggling with addiction. Some individuals have been deeply hurt by significant losses or abuse, or have gone through divorce. Many Christian songwriters I have spoken to, who are interested in our coaching programs, have faced these hardships and desire to learn how to express their pain and how God has helped them endure. James Finley believes that God doesn't prevent us from going through difficult situations, but He miraculously supports and strengthens us throughout them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in considering how to beautifully capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
We all understand the feelings of loneliness and being lost at times. The most effective way to engage people with your story is by providing them with a sense of connection. It is important for our own experiences to resonate with yours. By allowing us to relate and insert our own narratives, we become more invested in your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends, Becky Norquist, who is also a former student of NCS, has experienced the pain of going through five miscarriages and one stillbirth. She has channeled her emotions into her music and ministry, specifically addressing grieving families. However, she has also incorporated enough universal themes into her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The idea that songwriter Dave Clark (from Lillenas Music) shared has stuck with me. It might seem contradictory, but it's not. The first point is about finding a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details that won't be helpful to your listener. If you start getting too caught up in specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, there's a chance that you might lose your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your song. If your specific experiences don't align with mine, it can be off-putting. However, this may seem challenging, it is achievable. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during a difficult situation and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that highlights the ways in which God has achieved success or victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that others may not be able to relate to. One way to improve your songwriting is by studying examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observing how the writers engage their audience without simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still feeling the emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to authentically express your feelings through a testimonial song. Pouring out your emotions in your lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you're creating a heartfelt country song about heartbreak. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to recognize that it's not a genuine testimony, but rather a sorrowful country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to handle. If you simply unload all of your own pain onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for an extended period of time. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist; they are designed to provide an outlet for your dysfunction and hurts. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on a personal narrative about your childhood, it might be more beneficial to explore Scriptural themes that highlight the transformative and healing power of God in overcoming difficult experiences. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be helpful to consider alternative methods before delving into personal pain in your expression.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is one that depicts how God has been victorious in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write such songs for yourself as well, but it's important to note that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing your emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficult experiences you have encountered, ultimately resulting in His victory in your soul, regardless of the path you take.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which is conducted online for eight weeks, we delve into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals prefer to access free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and feel a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will help you determine if our program aligns with your goals and aspirations. You can schedule your free call by following this link.
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